Publication Name	World Journal of Meta-Analysis
Manuscript ID	126072
DOI	10.13105/wjma.126072
Country	China

Category	Psychology, Applied
Manuscript Type	Meta-Analysis
Article Title	Association of maternal educational attainment with preterm birth and low birth weight: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Manuscript Source	Unsolicited Manuscript
All Author List	Yi-Gong Tian, Sheng-Fan Huang, Dong-Fang Jin, Sen-Li Li, Jin-Ke Sun, Peng Wang, Zhi-Peng Li, Yan-Wei Fan, Si-Si Chen and Chang-Jiang Zhang
Funding Agency and Grant Number
Corresponding Author	Chang-Jiang Zhang, Chief, Manager, MD, Professor, Second Department of Orthopedics, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 3 Kangfu Qianjie, Erqi District, Zhengzhou 450052, Henan Province, China. changjiangzhang1968@outlook.com
Key Words	Maternal educational attainment; Preterm birth; Low birth weight; Socioeconomic determinants of health; Meta-analysis
Core Tip	This meta-analysis of 37 observational studies involving over 30 million births found that higher maternal educational attainment was associated with lower odds of preterm birth and low birth weight. Associations varied across regions, national economic settings, and study designs, and were accompanied by substantial heterogeneity. The findings support maternal education as a socioeconomic marker that may help identify populations needing enhanced antenatal care and social support. Because exposure definitions were inconsistent and causal inference is limited, future studies should harmonize education categories and adjust consistently for major confounders.
Citation	Tian YG, Huang SF, Jin DF, Li SL, Sun JK, Wang P, Li ZP, Fan YW, Chen SS, Zhang CJ. Association of maternal educational attainment with preterm birth and low birth weight: A systematic review and meta-analysis. World J Meta-Anal 2026; In press DOI: https://doi.org/10.13105/wjma.126072
PDF	126072-in-press.pdf

Received	2026-07-24 07:56
Peer-Review Started	2026-07-24 07:56
First Decision by Editorial Office Director
Return for Revision	2026-07-28 09:47
Revised	2026-08-10 14:07
Publication Fee Transferred
Second Decision by Editor	2026-10-08 07:09
Second Decision by Editor-in-Chief
Final Decision by Editorial Office Director	2026-10-08 09:21
Articles in Press	2026-10-08 09:21
Edit the Manuscript by Language Editor
Typeset the Manuscript

ISSN	2308-3840 (online)
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